Daughter of Smoke and Bone

Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky. In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low. And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war. Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages - not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color.

Beautiful Writing, Mediocre Romance

Blue haired, free spirited Karou runs between worlds to gather special items for her mentor/father figure, Brimstone. He gives her wishes when she co..Show More »mpletes her tasks and like a spoiled child, frivolously wastes them at times. On one particular errand, she meets someone from her past whom she doesn't yet remember and you travel with her to find out the answers.

The writing is fluid, detailed, and rich with character development in this YA novel. The explanation of why Karou collects the items is fascinating.

Khristine Hvam is flawless and sounds exactly as I imagine Karou would.

What I would change is the characters' flawless beauty. A little imperfection makes the story more plausible and the references to perfection are irritating. Also didn't care for the half animal, fantastical other world and relationships. The book would have been better without it, however the writing is lyrical, lovely, and I recommend this YA romance.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone

In general, Karou has managed to keep her two lives in balance. On the one hand, she's a 17-year-old art student in Prague; on the other, errand-girl to a monstrous creature who is the closest thing she has to family. Raised half in our world, half in 'Elsewhere', she has never understood Brimstone's dark work - buying teeth from hunters and murderers - nor how she came into his keeping. She is a secret even to herself, plagued by the sensation that she isn't whole.

Original story idea, not enough chemistry

I really liked the premise for this book. The mystery of the teeth and why Karous is running the mysterious errands is enough to keep you hooked but ..Show More »ultimately I didn't....

SPOILER

... buy into the chemistry between Karou and Akiva. There just wasn't enough to it and I found that I didn't care enough about their relationship. I would also have loved to hear more about Karou's other family but there just wasn't enough details on this either.

I really liked Karou as a character, she was interesting and brave but otherwise I don't know if I will bother with the next book. This book just didn't draw me in enough.

Days of Blood & Starlight

In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed Daughter of Smoke and Bone, Karou must come to terms with who and what she is, and how far she'll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, mysteries and secrets, new characters and old favorites, Days of Blood and Starlight brings the richness, color and intensity of the first book to a brand new canvas.

No Sophomore Slump here...Just wow!

It's hard to write a review of this book without giving away too may spoilers, so I will keep this as general as possible.This book is amazing! ..Show More »If you loved Daughter of Smoke and Bone (a must read on my list) then you will LOVE this book too. It's darker then the first and not as much romance (to my disappointment) but it is exquisitely written and the story will suck you in from the beginning. Once this story gets going you will find it very hard to stop listening. I was obsessed!I was happy to see Zusana is back (she is one of my favorite characters) and there are many new ones introduced in this one.I wouldn't suggest picking this book up before reading Smoke and Bone as it might be too confusing given all the new character developments.As before, Khristine Hvam is brilliant at the narration. Thank you to Hachette Audio for sticking to a narrator that works!

I highly recommend this book/series and I can not wait for the next installment.

Days of Blood and Starlight: Daughter of Smoke and Bone, Book Two

It began with the breathtaking Daughter of Smoke and bone... This November, the story continues in the astounding sequel, Days of Blood and Starlight Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love and dared to imagine a new way of living - one without massacres and torn throats and bonfires of the fallen, without revenants or bastard armies or children ripped from their mothers' arms to take their turn in the killing and dying.

A "page turner"

Khristine Hvam reprises her role as narrator in this 2nd entry in the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series and delivers a performance that raises Laini T..Show More »aylor's solid writing to a higher level.

Despite bordering on an over-reliance on "convenient moments", Taylor has managed to write a novel that is both gripping and exciting that somehow transcends the medium and becomes an auditory "page turner". I sometimes get the feeling that the book was written with narration in mind.

For anyone looking to read a YA/Teen novel with elements of fantasy, this is a series that deserves attention.

Dreams of Gods and Monsters: Daughter of Smoke and Bone Trilogy, Book 3

Common enemy, common cause. When Jael's brutal seraph army trespasses into the human world, the unthinkable becomes essential, and Karou and Akiva must ally their enemy armies against the threat. It is a twisted version of their long-ago dream, and they begin to hope that it might forge a way forward for their people. And, perhaps, for themselves. But there are bigger threats than Jael in the offing. A vicious queen is hunting Akiva, and, in the skies of Eretz...something is happening.

I still really hope there is more

It was a fantastic trilogy, I can't wait for the movie adaption, but I still hope there is more of the story to come.

Dreams of Gods & Monsters: Daughter of Smoke and Bone, Book 3

In this thrilling conclusion to the Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy, Karou is still not ready to forgive Akiva for killing the only family she's ever known. When a brutal angel army trespasses into the human world, Karou and Akiva must ally their enemy armies against the threat--and against larger dangers that loom on the horizon. They begin to hope that it might forge a way forward for their people. And, perhaps, for themselves--maybe even toward love.

So Beautiful

I loved this entire series. Laini Taylor is such a talented writer. It's like artistry on paper or ear candy for audible listeners. Her characters ..Show More »are deep with extensive world building - you can't help but get sucked into this fantasy she has created. I crave more and can only hope this is NOT THE END of such a wonderful series. Thank the God Stars, but I really want more!!! Definitely a 5 star listen!!!!

Night of Cake & Puppets: Booktrack Edition

Petite though she may be, Zuzana is not known for timidity. Her friend, Karou, calls her "rabid fairy", her "voodoo eyes" are said to freeze blood, and even her brother fears her wrath. But when it comes to the simple matter of talking to Mik, or "Violin Boy", her courage deserts her. But Zuzana is determined to meet him, and she has a fistful of magic and a plan. It's a wonderfully elaborate treasure hunt of a plan that will take Mik all over Prague on a cold winter's night before finally leading him to the treasure: herself!

I really enjoy the story with sound effects

The booktrack platform really adds to these stories. Hard to imagine not having that feature

Night of Cake & Puppets

Petite though she may be, Zuzana is not known for timidity. Her best friend, Karou, calls her "rabid fairy," her "voodoo eyes" are said to freeze blood, and even her older brother fears her wrath. But when it comes to the simple matter of talking to Mik, or "Violin Boy," her courage deserts her. Now, enough is enough. Zuzana is determined to meet him, and she has a fistful of magic and a plan. It's a wonderfully elaborate treasure hunt of a plan that will take Mik all over Prague on a cold winter's night before finally leading him to the treasure: herself!

Rabid Fairy + Violin Boy = Magic

It was nice to spend time with YA Fantasy's favorite secondary couple and have them in the spotlight. Zuzana's fiesty, humorous, intelligence was the ..Show More »recipe for insta-love. Her embrace of magic and endearing friendship with Karou has us friends for life.

The romance between Zuzana and Mik in DAYS OF BLOOD & STARLIGHT had me wanting to know more about them. How they met? How they fell in love? I mean the dude traipses through the Moroccan dessert with the woman he loves, because he wouldn't want to be anywhere else but where she is. AMAZING!

NIGHT OF CAKE & PUPPETS started a little slow, while Zuzana establishes the backstory of her work with puppets. But it doesn't take long for you to be wrapped up her in tale of the "Biting Puppet" and on to how she stalks the quiet Violin Boy. I was swept away once again with TAYLOR's language as she sets out to create the perfect meeting for the Rabid Fairy and Violin Boy. It was beautiful, playful, romantic, and full of imagery that dances around in your mind and in your heart. I WANT A STORY LIKE THIS ONE.

I want to do some living with my lips.

KHRISTINE HVAM captures Zuzana's spirited soul and the evening is magical. I wasn't quite ready for KEVIN T. COLLIN's Mik though. He was fleshed out in my mind in KHRISTINE's likeness and KEVIN's brusque Eastern European accent hardened the sensative Mik for me a touch. But overall, it made for a beautiful Valentine's Day listen for me. I can't wait for GODS & MONSTERS on audio.

Night of Cake and Puppets: A Daughter of Smoke and Bone Novella

In this new stand alone novella from New York Times bestselling author Laini Taylor comes the story of a funny and fantastical first date. In Night of Cake & Puppets, Taylor brings to life a night only hinted at in the Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy – the magical first date of fan-favorites Zuzana and Mik. Told in alternating perspectives, it's the perfect love story for fans of the series and new readers alike. Petite though she may be, Zuzana is not known for timidity.